Bearded Collie

The Bearded Collie is a medium-sized Scottish herding dog with a long shaggy coat, a bouncing gait and one of the most cheerful temperaments in the dog world. It was bred to move sheep across rough Highland country, and under the coat is an athletic, tireless working dog. Dogs Australia recognises it in Group 5, Working Dogs, under a breed standard that forbids any trimming of the coat.

Every question people ask about the breed comes back to suitability. Can a busy Australian household live with a bouncy, vocal herding dog that needs daily exercise, company and serious grooming in a hot climate? For the right family the answer is a joyful yes. For the wrong one it is a matted, bored and noisy dog.

The breed is uncommon in Australia. At the time of writing Dogz Online listed 16 breeders and just 2 litters nationally, so most buyers join a waiting list.

Characteristics of the Bearded Collie

The Bearded Collie rates highly for friendliness, energy and grooming needs, and low for tolerating time alone, which makes it a superb family dog for an active, home-based household.

History of the Bearded Collie: From Highland Drover to Show Ring Favourite

The Bearded Collie is one of Scotland's oldest herding dogs, used for centuries to gather and drive sheep and cattle across rough hill country. Its origins are not recorded in detail. A popular legend tells of a Polish merchant, often named as Kazimierz Grabski, who traded grain for sheep in Scotland in the sixteenth century and left behind Polish Lowland Sheepdogs that were bred with local dogs. It is a good story, and the two breeds do look alike, but it is legend rather than documented history.

Over time two working types developed, according to Dogs NSW: a larger, slate-coated Border type and a smaller, wavy-coated, usually brown Highland type. The name comes simply from the breed's distinctive beard.

The modern show breed owes almost everything to one woman. In 1944 Mrs G. Olive Willison of Bothkennar kennels acquired a brown bitch, Jeannie, and later found a grey dog, Bailie, and from these two she rebuilt the breed after it had nearly disappeared as a pedigree dog.

Appearance of the Bearded Collie: Shaggy, Lean, and Always Changing Colour

Size and Build

The standard gives a height of 53 to 56 cm for dogs and 51 to 53 cm for bitches, and no weight. Most sources describe adults weighing around 18 to 27 kg. Under the coat the Beardie is lean and strong, slightly longer than tall, with a deep chest and a free, bouncing movement built for covering ground.

Coat and Colours

The coat is a double coat, with a soft, close undercoat and a flat, harsh, shaggy outer coat that may be slightly wavy but never woolly or curly. The standard says the coat must not be trimmed in any way for showing. Permitted colours include slate grey, reddish fawn, black, blue, all shades of grey, brown and sandy, with or without white markings.

Distinctive Features

The colour change is the feature that surprises new owners most. According to Dogs NSW, puppies are born black, brown, blue or fawn, and the body coat then greys out and lightens as the dog grows before darkening again towards the colour of the ears and tail. A jet black puppy may become a silvery grey adolescent and a dark slate adult, so choosing a puppy for its colour is a gamble. The beard, the long fall of hair over the eyes and the arched eyebrows complete the look.

Buyers often confuse the Beardie with two other breeds, so a quick comparison helps.

Gender Differences

Dogs are taller under the standard and usually heavier, often with a fuller coat. Bitches are lighter and finer. Temperament differences are modest, and the individual matters more than sex.

Temperament of the Bearded Collie: Bouncy, Sociable, and Full of Humour

Core Personality Traits

Dogs NSW describes the Beardie as a playful "class clown" with a strong sense of humour, a dog that wants approval, matures slowly and stays youthful for years. Owners describe a bright, endlessly cheerful dog that greets life with a bounce, often literally.

Social Behaviour

The breed is people-oriented and usually friendly with everyone, including strangers and other dogs. It is not a guard dog. It enjoys being part of family activities and tends to follow its people around the house.

Working Instincts

The herding instinct is present, though usually softer than in a Border Collie. Some Beardies try to round up children, other pets or cyclists, and many use their voice while working.

Common Behavioural Challenges

Do Bearded Collies bark a lot? Dogs NSW rates their barking as low, but the breed is known for using its voice when excited, playing or herding, and a bored Beardie can become noisy. Can Bearded Collies be left alone? Not for long days. This is a companion dog that does not cope well with isolation, and loneliness tends to show as barking, digging and chewing. Knowing the signs of separation anxiety in dogs helps owners act early. Bounciness and jumping up are the other common challenges.

Intelligence and Trainability of the Bearded Collie: Clever, Independent, and Creative

Intelligence and Learning Ability

Beardies are intelligent dogs that learn quickly, but they are lateral thinkers rather than obedient followers. According to Dogs NSW, the independent streak can make obedience training harder.

Training Approach

Firm, confident, consistent and fun is the formula. Reward-based training with food and play works best, and sessions should be short and varied. A sense of humour helps, because a Beardie that finds a funnier way to do something will try it. Teach a calm greeting early to manage jumping up.

Early Socialisation

Socialise puppies widely with people, children, dogs, noises and grooming. Handling and brushing should start from the first week at home, since a dog that learns to enjoy grooming as a puppy is far easier to care for as a heavily coated adult.

Potential Training Challenges

Recall, jumping up and barking are the usual challenges. Slow maturity means Beardies can behave like adolescents until two or three years old, so patience is essential.

Bearded Collie Family Life: Living with Children, Pets, and Households

Living with Children

Are Bearded Collies good pets? For active families, yes. They are loyal, family-friendly and playful, and most are gentle with children. Their bouncy enthusiasm can knock over toddlers, so supervise young children and teach the dog to greet calmly.

Living with Other Pets

Beardies generally live well with other dogs and, when raised with them, with cats. Some will try to herd other pets. Small animals should be introduced carefully and supervised.

Household Environment

Dogs NSW recommends regular walks and a well-fenced yard. A Beardie needs space to run and play and should live indoors with the family.

Lifestyle Compatibility

The breed suits active families, people who work from home and owners who enjoy grooming. It is a poor fit for long working days or owners who want a low-maintenance coat.

Health of the Bearded Collie: Autoimmune Disease, Hips, and Eyes

Lifespan and Healthy Living

Dogs NSW gives an average life expectancy of about 13 years, and a large 2024 UK study of companion dog longevity estimated a life expectancy of 13.9 years for the breed, above the average for purebred dogs.

Common Health Conditions

Owners should be aware of several conditions that can occur in the breed. It is best to discuss any concerns with a veterinarian.

• Autoimmune disease. According to Dogs NSW, the breed is occasionally affected by autoimmune conditions and no test is currently available.
• Addison's disease (hypoadrenocorticism). A failure of the adrenal glands that is reported more often in Beardies than in dogs generally. Signs such as lethargy, vomiting and weakness can be vague, so tell your vet the breed if your dog is unwell.
• Hypothyroidism. An underactive thyroid that can cause weight gain, lethargy and coat changes, and is manageable with medication.
• Hip dysplasia. Hip X-rays of breeding stock are recommended.
• Eye conditions. Cataract and progressive retinal atrophy can occur, though Beardies are not affected by the collie eye diseases seen in Rough, Smooth and Border Collies, according to Dogs NSW.

Genetic Health Testing

Ask for hip scores and current eye examination results for both parents. Because there is no test for the autoimmune conditions, family history is the most useful information a breeder can give you. Ask directly whether any dogs in the pedigree have had Addison's disease, hypothyroidism or other autoimmune problems, and how long the parents' relatives lived.

Preventative Health Care

Keep vaccinations current and use year-round parasite prevention. Paralysis ticks are a particular risk in a long coat, since they are very hard to find, so on the eastern seaboard combine a reliable preventative with a careful daily check by hand. Annual vet checks are the baseline, with blood tests in older dogs to watch thyroid and adrenal function.

Caring for the Bearded Collie: Daily Care and Living Environment

Daily Care Routine

A typical day includes a long walk or run, play time, a quick check of the coat and feet for burrs and grass seeds, and a tick check in season. Feed twice daily. A short daily brush of problem areas, such as behind the ears and under the legs, keeps the weekly groom manageable.

Living Environment Requirements

A secure yard with good shade and constant water is essential. The breed should live indoors with the family, ideally with access to cool tiled floors in summer.

Climate Sensitivity

Heat is the biggest climate challenge for this breed in Australia. A long double coat and a high-energy temperament mean a Beardie can overheat quickly in summer. Exercise in the early morning or evening, provide shade, cool surfaces and water, and check the safe temperature limits for dogs in Australia before any hard exercise. A well-brushed coat, with dead undercoat removed, insulates better than a matted one.

Caring for Senior Bearded Collies

Older Beardies often stay playful for years. Keep exercise regular but gentler, maintain a lean weight, and watch for signs of thyroid or adrenal problems such as lethargy or weight change. Grooming older dogs may take longer, so a shorter, more manageable pet trim is worth discussing with a groomer.

Grooming of the Bearded Collie: A Coat That Needs Real Commitment

Coat Maintenance

Are Bearded Collies high maintenance? For grooming, yes. Dogs NSW recommends a thorough brushing once a week to keep the coat in good condition and prevent matting, and in practice a full groom of an adult coat, brushing in layers right down to the skin, commonly takes an hour or more. The most demanding period is the adolescent coat change, usually somewhere between nine months and two years, when the puppy coat comes out and mats form quickly.

Managing the Coat in Australian Heat and Tick Season

In summer, regular brushing to remove dead undercoat helps air move through the coat. Some owners choose a shorter pet trim for practical reasons, which is a grooming choice to discuss with a professional groomer rather than a cooling fix, since a long coat also protects the skin from sun. During tick season, run your fingers through the whole coat daily, including the head, neck, armpits and between the toes. A grooming routine for long-haired dogs sets out a practical weekly schedule.

Ear, Nail, and Dental Care

Check ears weekly and pluck or trim excess hair if your groomer or vet recommends it. Trim nails every three to four weeks and trim hair between the pads to prevent slipping and grass seed problems. Brush teeth several times a week.

Bathing and Professional Grooming

Bathe every four to six weeks, or when dirty, and always brush out mats before bathing, since water tightens them. Dry thoroughly with a dryer to prevent skin problems. Many owners book a professional groom every six to eight weeks, and costs vary widely, so ask local groomers for a quote before you commit.

Exercise Needs of the Bearded Collie: An Energetic Herding Dog

Daily Exercise Requirements

Plan on around 60 minutes or more of exercise a day for an adult. Dogs NSW gives about 40 minutes a day as a guide and describes a high-energy breed, and most owners find a young Beardie needs more than that minimum.

Activities Bearded Collies Enjoy

Long walks, running in a secure area, ball games, herding, agility, rally and canicross all suit the breed. Many Beardies love swimming, though the coat then needs thorough drying and brushing.

Exercise by Life Stage

Puppies need short play sessions and gentle walks while their joints develop, with no forced running. Adolescents need more exercise and plenty of structure. Adults are excellent active companions, and seniors do well with shorter, gentler outings.

Importance of Mental Stimulation

A Beardie with nothing to think about invents its own entertainment. Training games, trick work, puzzle feeders and scent games provide mental exercise and help settle a lively young dog.

Feeding the Bearded Collie: Nutrition and Diet Needs

Nutritional Requirements

A complete and balanced diet for active medium-sized dogs suits the breed. Choose a food that meets Australian standards for complete pet food.

Feeding by Life Stage

Feed puppies three to four times daily until around four months, then twice daily. Use a puppy formula until around 12 months. Adults do well on two measured meals, and seniors usually need fewer calories.

Portion Control and Weight Management

The long coat can hide weight gain, so feel for the ribs and waist rather than relying on looks. Weigh the dog monthly. Unexplained weight gain with lethargy is worth discussing with a vet, since hypothyroidism can be a cause.

Foods to Avoid

Avoid grapes, sultanas, chocolate, onion, garlic, macadamias and anything containing xylitol. Cooked bones should not be fed. Wipe the beard after meals, since food caught in it can cause odour and skin irritation.

Bearded Collie Price in Australia: Purchase Cost and Ongoing Expenses

Puppy Purchase Price

Expect around $2,500 to $4,000 for a Bearded Collie puppy from a registered breeder, though current listings are price on request. On 17 October 2026 the Dogz Online puppy listings showed only 2 litters nationally, in South Australia and Victoria, both price on request, one of them offering a six-month-old male. The only published AUD figure, $2,500 to $4,000, comes from ezydog.com.au and should be confirmed with breeders.

With 16 listed breeders, supply is the real constraint. Expect waiting lists and possible interstate transport.

Initial Setup Costs

Beyond the purchase price, RSPCA NSW puts microchipping at $60 to $80, puppy vaccinations at $280 to $420, desexing at $350 to $650, a collar, lead or harness at $40 to $100, a bed at $100 to $200 and puppy school at about $170. Budget too for quality grooming tools, including a pin brush, slicker, comb and a dryer.

Ongoing Monthly Costs

Canstar's 2026 research put the average accident and illness premium for a medium dog at around $1,693 a year. Given the breed's autoimmune risks, insuring early, before any condition becomes pre-existing, is sensible.

Long-Term Financial Commitment

Across a 12 to 14 year lifespan, a Beardie costs around or slightly above the national average, mainly because of grooming. Animal Medicines Australia's Pets in Australia 2025 survey puts average spending by dog-owning households at about $2,520 a year. Lifelong medication for Addison's disease or hypothyroidism would add to that.

Buying Advice for a Bearded Collie: Choosing a Healthy Puppy

Choosing a Responsible Breeder

Choose a breeder who is a member of their state Dogs Australia body, registers litters, hip scores and eye tests breeding dogs, and speaks openly about autoimmune disease in their lines. The breed club is a good first contact. A good breeder will ask about your lifestyle and grooming plans.

Health Checks Before Purchase

Meet the puppy with its mother and watch the litter. Look for clear eyes, clean ears, a healthy coat and confident behaviour. Ask for hip scores and eye results for both parents, and written records of vaccination, worming and microchipping.

Questions to Ask the Breeder

• What are the parents' hip scores and eye examination results?
• Has any dog in the pedigree had Addison's disease, hypothyroidism or other autoimmune problems?
• How long have the parents' relatives lived?
• How have the puppies been introduced to grooming and handling?
• What adult colour do you expect this puppy to become?
• Is the puppy on the main or limited register?
• Will you take the dog back at any stage if I cannot keep it?

A fuller set of questions to ask a dog breeder covers contracts and paperwork as well.

Considering Adoption

Purebred Beardies rarely appear in Australian rescue, but breeders occasionally rehome adults, and an adult dog lets you see the final coat colour and temperament. Ask breeders and the breed club to keep you in mind.

Is the Bearded Collie Right for You? A Joyful Family Dog with a Demanding Coat

Lifestyle Compatibility

The Beardie suits active families and people who are home for much of the day.

It is a poor match for long days alone or owners wanting an easy-care coat.

Time and Care Commitment

Expect an hour or more of exercise a day and at least an hour of grooming a week, for 12 to 14 years.

Grooming and Health Awareness

Brushing to the skin, daily tick checks and heat management are part of life with this breed.

Ask breeders about autoimmune disease in their lines.

Ideal Owner Profile

The ideal owner is active, patient and good-humoured, and genuinely enjoys grooming.

Find Bearded Collie Puppies for Sale

Litters are few, so contact breeders early.

You can browse puppies for sale on Pups4Sale and check for Bearded Collie listings as they appear.